Stories by Monique Steele
News
Watch: Luxon heads to Fieldays
Politics, new equipment and the tractor pull contest have taken centre stage on the opening day of the New Zealand Fieldays.
Food, fibre must bring value back to the farmgate - KPMG
New Zealand's food and fibre sectors are being told "massive" opportunities lie ahead for the sectors, as long farmers are there for the journey, a new report has found.
Deer farmers frustrated over hiccups in tracing system
Deer farmers have raised concerns over the country's animal tracing software with some facing charges for not registering their animals when they have actually done so.
Prominent farmer boycotts wool auctions as frustration grows
Tai Rāwhiti sheep farmer Toby Williams says he has no regrets.
Sanford hooks a healthy half-year profit
The fishing and aquaculture company's half-year net profit is up 46 percent, driven by continuing strong performance from its salmon business.
NZ wood processing sector grapples with new EU deforestation rules
The EU passed deforestation regulations last year asking those sending product to prove that their supply chains are free of deforestation.
Controversial chemical deemed 'safe to use' but growers face new rules
Kiwifruit growers are relieved they can keep using an agri-chemical that has been under scrutiny recently.
Company creating cow-less dairy products given green light to expand
Daisy Lab has been given the go-ahead to scale up production 500-fold.
Beekeeper furious over burning of $2m honey crop
North Canterbury's Steven Brown is calling for a new approach to a hive-destroying disease. Audio
Egg and poultry businesses 'lucky' bird flu not here yet
Bird flu, the highly pathogenic H5N1 virus, was top of the agenda at the International Poultry Council's annual meeting in Argentina last week.
Farming family donates significant land to community
A prominent Bay of Plenty farming family is giving up 100 hectares of farmland that has served them for 60 years.
Trial on changing truck driver requirements could go nationwide
The trial involves dropping the log book for drivers to record their hours in favour of a fatigue-testing app, and changing break requirements.
Integrated solar and agricultural farm planned for Rangitīkei
The 40 megawatt-peak farm is expected to generate electricity for about 7800 homes.
Farmers disappointed as Alliance asks for help to raise capital
Sheep and beef farmer Greg Anderson says it is a "terrible time" for Alliance to ask, given struggles in the industry.
Alliance asks farmers to help raise share capital in bid to stay farmer-owned
The red meat cooperative was profitable for nine out of the last 10 years - but last year, it reported a $70 million loss after tax.
Forest and Bird takes legal action over hunting agreement
Conservationists are butting heads about the best way to control Fiordland's wapiti elk populations, now the subject of a legal stoush.
One of the world's most invasive weeds discovered on Waikato farms
Velvetleaf can grow up to 2.5 metres tall, it has large, heart-shaped leaves with pointy tips and velvety hairs, and small, buttery yellow flowers.
Dry weather a double-edged sword
A lack of rain on the North Island's East Coast may be good for the area's fruit and vegetable growers - but the dry is starting to bite for pastoral farmers.
Fishers more 'vigilant' after on-boat cameras introduced - industry leads
It comes as new data shows a dramatic increase of dolphin captures and other fish and seabirds by the commercial fishing industry. Audio
'Keeping up' with demand the biggest challenge for Canterbury Biltong
A Christchurch company is expanding production of its South African-style dried meat snacks once again to keep up with insatiable demand.
'Shaky' times for scientific research as Our Land and Water challenge set to end
The gains made in agricultural science over the past decade could slow as the government funding tap runs dry, the programme's director says.
Imam dairy farmer fined $200,000 over migrant exploitation
One of the workers raised the alarm with MBIE.
Third-generation cowboy takes out national rodeo championship
Johnson Davis has been riding since he was a toddler and says he is "chuffed" to have the title - and the winner's trophy saddle.
NZ Forestry 'struck to our knees' by weak demand
Log inventories are piling up as orders from China slow in wait for prices to hit rock bottom, a forestry consultant says.
Drought a boon for salt works
Dry conditions are no good for farmers right now, but at Dominion Salt's works south of Blenheim, workers can't get enough.